When you install Windows Server 2008, as we all got used
to, you will notice that the only icon on the desktop is
Recycle Bin. One of the first things you would do with
your server is adding icons to the desktop. In
Windows Server 2008, one of
the icons that cannot be added is Internet Explorer.
However, in this article, I'm going to show you how to
add the Internet Explorer Icon to the desktop after
editing the Windows Registry.

Usually,
To Add icons to your desktop, right click on your
desktop , and click Personalize.

Then from the left side pane, click on Change
desktop icons

You will notice that Internet Explorer is not
one of the available options that you can select and add it to the
desktop ! so what can we do ?

So, to add an icon for Internet Explorer to the
desktop in Windows Server 2008, edit the registry using
the steps that are described below :

Open the Registry Editor, Click Start
> Run > type regedit
> click OK

Navigate to the following registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel

Create the following key DWORD (32-bit) > {871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D}In the right side page, right click an
empty area, and then click New > Right click
DWORD (32-bit) Value and then paste the following
into it
{871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D}

Close the Registry Editor. On the desktop, right
click and click Refresh. The icon
should appear on your desktop.

Summary

You can not add the Internet Explorer icon to
Windows Server 2008 desktop using the Desktop Icon Settings
page, however, by editing the registry, you can add the
Internet Explorer registry key and you will have the
Internet Explorer icon on your desktop.